Category Archives: Equipment

My first encounter with beer stone

Posted on July 14, 2020 by mikehoover

I had my first encounter with beer stone recently. My fermenter chiller coils have been collecting a residue that does not come off easily. Normally, to clean them, I run a Scotch brite pads along the coils with some Barkeepers. … Continue reading →

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My Second 5000 BTU Window AC Glycol Chiller Build

Posted on November 28, 2019 by mikehoover

This is my second glycol chiller build. I used a new 5000 BTU window AC unit I had sitting around still in the box for several years. I decided to build out a second chiller to have as a backup … Continue reading →

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Boil-off Test On My Small Kettle

Posted on January 27, 2019 by mikehoover

On Sunday, January 27, 2019, I conducted a boil-off test on my small kettle. It is a 62-quart SS Bayou Classic that I have used for five-gallon batches for years. I have been experimenting with lid-on boiling with my 1/2 … Continue reading →

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Replacement Batteries For Brewing Equipment

Posted on November 27, 2018 by mikehoover

Not too many pieces of brewing equipment require batteries to be replaced from time to time. This is just for future reference when I need to replace batteries. 1. Milwaukee pH56 Pocket pH/Temp Tester: four LR44 batteries. 2. CDN thermometer: … Continue reading →

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First Brew Day On My 1/2 BBL HERMS System

Posted on October 15, 2018 by mikehoover

On Saturday, October 13, 2018, I finally put my 1/2 BBL HERMS brew rig to the test. I had been working to get my fermenter/chiller prepared for the last month. I tested it with water and determined that it was … Continue reading →

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Fermentation Vessels Made Ready For Beer

Posted on September 27, 2018 by mikehoover

I have had two large stainless steel fermenters sitting around for years. They had been used for wine a long time ago. I decided to get them ready for fermenting big batches of beer. I removed the drain valves and … Continue reading →

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Kettle Condenser Test

Posted on July 30, 2018 by mikehoover

Firstly, thanks BrunDog for posting this great idea on the HomebrewTalk.com forum! After reading the whole thread I decided to give this thing a go. I went with 1.5″ TC fittings and the 6.32psi/@40 brass fitting. Given that it was … Continue reading →

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Batch #90 – German Pilsners – First Ferment In My Ss Brewtech BrewBucket

Posted on February 4, 2018 by mikehoover

I brewed a German Pilsner on January 27, 2018 and used my new Ss Brewtech BrewBucket. It was nice to be able to take samples during the ferment so see how it progresses. I pulled a few samples during the … Continue reading →

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New Equipment in the Brewhouse: Ss BrewTech BrewBucket

Posted on January 31, 2018 by mikehoover

I purchased a Ss Brewtech 7 gallon BrewBucket this past week after a long time pondering stainless steel fermenters. There are so many choices out there for fermenters. After considering a conical fermenter for years, I finally decided to give … Continue reading →

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Two Stage Plate Chiller Build Kills The Summer Heat

Posted on August 1, 2016 by mikehoover

I pieced together a two stage wort plate chiller recently and tested it out on some real time brews. It performs very well in the hot temperatures of South Carolina in July. I started with a Blichmann Engineering Therminator that … Continue reading →

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